Veronica Frakes ridealong

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Officer Veronica Frakes checks a drivers license last month after gang unit officers pulled over a car with a known gang member in Corpus Christi. Frakes is the only woman on the gang unit.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Officer Veronica Frakes (center left) talks with other gang unit officers outside a hotel in August as they search for a suspect in Corpus Christi. The U.S. Department of Justice has alleged the city's physical test is unfair to women.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Patrol Officer Veronica Frakes photographs the tattoos on a known gang member in August after a traffic stop in Corpus Christi. Frakes is one of three women to be in the gang unit since its inception in 1992.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Veronica Frakes talks with her fellow gang unit officers in August outside a Leopard Street hotel as they try to track down a suspect in Corpus Christi. The police department changed how it scores its physical exam after the U.S. Department of Justice alleged the test was unfair to female recruits.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Officer Veronica Frakes checks out a known gang member's neck last month as she takes photos of any new markings or tattoos he may have following a traffic stop in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Patrol officer Veronica Frakes turns on the lights and sirens to pull over a car with a known gang member as members of the Corpus Christi gang unit patrol the Westside in August.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Officer Veronica Frakes checks her notes after members of the gang unit entered a home where they believed a suspect was staying in Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Officer Veronica Frakes talks to dispatch after members of the Corpus Christi gang pulled over a car with a known gang member inside in August.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Officer Veronica Frakes handcuffs a driver in August after members of the Corpus Christi gang unit pulled over a car with a known gang member inside. Frakes said her small stature doesn't hinder her on the job.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Patrol officer Veronica Frakes (left) talks with the driver of a vehicle in August after police pulled him over in a traffic stop with a known gang members in the passenger seat.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Officer Veronica Frakes places her AR-15 semi-automatic rifle into the trunk of her police car in August after entering a home on the Westside with the gang unit. Frakes said her small stature doesn't hinder her on the job.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Officer Veronica Frakes (center) and members of the gang unit surround a home where they believe a suspect is staying in Corpus Christi. Officers found two teenage girls inside. As the only female officer on the gang unit, Frakes was responsible for searching the girls for drugs and weapons.